Smart utilities

EDF: Industry needs to win back customer confidence in smart meter rollout

Ofgem outlines DCC performance regime direction

Ofgem has published a draft direction which outlines an updated framework for the Data Communications Company’s performance incentives. The regulator is now consulting on a revised OPR framework, including proposals for incentivising DCC’s system performance under four new outcome-based measures, broken down by meter type and region where relevant.

Efficiency drive: Why consumers still ignore consumption

Utility Week talks to SaveMoneyCutCarbon chief executive Mark Sait on the back of the company’s consumer poll, which shows 85 per cent remain unaware of how much electricity they are using. Sait claims that despite their unparalleled penetration of the population, utilities companies are failing to land the efficiency message – and will continue to until the “issue of trust” is resolved. He also talks about the missed opportunities to include water consumption in strategies to cut carbon.

Hinkley and Tideway projects ramp up staff

As the nation enters the first phase of returning to work, two landmark projects - Hinkley Point C and Thames Tideway - have brought staff back to sites with guidance on how to operate under social distancing rules.

Centrica and WPD set out bold EV plans

Carl Bayliss, vice president of Centrica Innovations, talks to Utility Week about the company’s joint strategy with Lotus to “redefine the customer relationship with cars”. Meanwhile, Western Power Distribution has updated its Electric Vehicle strategy, including new charging solutions for domestic customers and easier connection processes for charge point operators.

Octopus holds ad hoc trial to boost demand over bank holiday weekend

Regulating the new normal

Local flexibility market goes live in Orkney

Six steps to increase your engineering document control efficiency

Market-wide half-hourly settlement to benefit consumers by up to £4.6bn

Time for less talk and more action on decarbonisation

Network leaders must stop overanalysing and start getting on with the job of decarbonisation says Western Power Distribution’s, DSO systems manager, Roger Hey.

Energy disputes in a decentralised network

Richard Power, of law firm Clyde & Co, looks at how the energy transition and its three pillars of digitisation, decentralisation and dispute resolution will significantly impact the types of legal dispute which arise, and potentially deny access to justice.

Hitachi to loan ‘tens of millions’ for Gridserve’s Electric Forecourt dreams

Keeping us Connected: Northumbrian considers lockdown learnings

#AskUsAnything webinar: Energy networks

This #AskUsAnything webinar - now available to view on demand - focussed on how energy networks have fared during the pandemic and what the new normal will look like for them. A panel of experts, including UK Power Networks chief executive Basil Scarsella, Electricity North West chief executive Peter Emery and the ENA's Ross Easton, gave their thoughts on questions posed by Utility Week members.

Keeping Us Connected: SPEN drives support in the community

Our Keeping Us Connected campaign is showcasing how the utilities sector is responding to the coronavirus pandemic. Here we take a look at how Scottish Power Energy Networks is supporting some of its most vulnerable customers, as well as keeping young children occupied during lockdown.

Smart meter delay should be used to ‘reset expectations’

Greg Jackson, chief executive of Octopus Energy, believes a six to 12 month delay may give the industry sufficient time to resolve connectivity issues. He said the delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic will not be as long as those resulting from technology issues in the programme's early days.

Flexitricity becomes first virtual lead party to trade on balancing mechanism

Decarbonisation across energy and transport is possible today

By 2040 there could be 36 million electric vehicles on Britain’s roads, leading to inevitable challenges for the network. Jan Anderson, of Wärtsilä, discusses the role energy storage has to play in this transition.

SSEN to develop portable charging device for EVs